DVD Review: Ageless with Kathy Smith: Total Body Turnaround

When I first started SparkPeople as a member back in 2004, I lost the first part of my weight by doing a lot of workout videos at home. To this day, I still love to try new workout DVDs when I can so I can continue to have variety in my workouts when the weather is bad. When Coach Nicole asked for help in reviewing DVDs for the dailySpark, I couldn’t help but be excited about the opportunity!

I recently tried out the Ageless with Kathy Smith: Total Body Turnaround DVD. As some of you may know, Kathy Smith has been in the fitness industry for a long time (nearly 30 years). She definitely knows her stuff, and what I love about this DVD is that Kathy is great about giving cues and instructions for proper form. She wants to make sure you are doing the exercises correctly so that you don’t injure yourself. (Believe me, injuries can happen to anyone). Now, I honestly can’t remember if I have seen or worked out with any of Kathy Smith’s other workout videos, but I was very pleased with this one.

From the DVD cover:"Split into three 20-minute workouts, each one targets a physical change people face as they grow older. It’s like a reset button for your body!

With plenty of modifications to match your experience level, Total Body Turnaround is a convenient, fun, and fast way to get fit. Whatever your age, you’ll feel stronger, leaner, and more energized!"

My take on the 3 segments:

The circuit segment is a simple, but fun cardio and strength workout. Kathy uses mostly basic exercises, but makes them challenging. However, something that I noticed is that while you do engage your core in some of the exercises, you don’t actually work your core very directly, so I would recommend adding more core work in addition to the DVD. That was the only drawback for me regarding the claims of it being a "total body" workout. Throughout the circuit segment Kathy not only tells you how to perform the exercises properly, but she also offers modifications. For me, a good workout DVD should have a way to modify the exercises, and it is nice when the instructor gives you information on how to do that.

The balance segment is a great addition to any workout program. Balance training at any age is really important, but especially as we age, so we can help prevent injuries and improve our coordination and posture. I have always been fond of including balance exercises and Kathy brings a lot of fun, but challenging work with the balance exercises in the DVD. What’s even better? The balance segment doesn’t need any additional equipment; you just use your body and there is no need to go out and buy any expensive equipment.

The last segment is the total-energy segment and from what I understand, Kathy designed it to wake up all areas of your body. Does it do that? I would say so! She has you moving every part of your body and it will wake you and your muscles up, giving you a nice little energy boost. Please note though, there are some hip movements that some may think are more like sexy dance moves and might feel weird doing, but they are fun and get your body moving and energized. Don’t skip that part though! As long as you don’t have an audience during this segment, I’m sure you will enjoy it. I think this is a good workout to do in the morning to start your day or even for an afternoon pick-me-up.

Pros:

Kathy Smith is a great instructor and it shows through her cues and instructions. She even tells you to listen to her instead of looking up so you don’t strain your neck.

Exercises are easily modified and she gives examples or tells you to do it a certain way for the modification (ex: instead of jumping, just stand up on your toes without your feet leaving the ground).

You can choose to do 1, 2, or all 3 segments.

Each segment is only 20 minutes long and can easily be fit into your busy schedule. This is great for those busy days where you only have time for one or two of the segments.

The exercises are pretty simple and explained well so that even those of us that are uncoordinated can still do it.

You only need a set of dumbbells and a mat.

You don’t need a lot of space to do any of the workouts on the DVD.

Cons:

You may feel a little silly doing some of the moves, especially in the total-energy segment.

I would have liked to see a segment specifically for the core.

I almost didn’t notice the music, which isn’t always a con, but I would like an option to turn that up/lower the sound of the fitness instructor.

Overall, this DVD is a great workout for beginners and even for the beginner/intermediate exercisers at any age. Kathy keeps it simple so it is easy to follow. Keep in mind though, even though the exercises are basic, they get the job done and the more you put into the workout, the more you can get out of it. Also, you can lift more weight as necessary when doing the circuit segment to make it more difficult, which Kathy does remind you during the workout.

Comments

Hi, I have just purchased Kathy Smith's DVD's - Ageless (Total Body Turn Around and Staying Strong. I purchased these DVD's because being an older woman, it really appealed to me see a older woman being so fit and alive looking. I have just done the first segment(Total Circuit) in the three 20 minute workouts. It was great, mostly kept up. Looking forward to the next segment tomorrow and totally incorporating these DVD's in my workout programme.
- 5/9/2013 9:28:20 PM

I LOVE Kathy Smith! My favorite walking DVD is her Power Walk for Weight Loss Matrix Method and the toughest one I have ever done is her Cardio Knockout which featues a tough boxing (get ready with the skipping rope) and kickboxing workout with actual pros leading them!
- 2/23/2012 1:55:25 AM

I really am intrigued with the section of this review that says Kathy encourages you to listen and not watch her.... I'm a blind exerciser and am always looking for videos that I can listen to and know what is going on! I like Kathy smith for this reason. In most of her videoes she is good about explaining what she is doing and I can follow. At times I still need to ask for sighted help, but for the most part can do the workouts with no trouble and no help! I love the Flex Appeal Belly Dance DVD! I look forward to trying this DVD and wonder why we should feel silly doing sexy hip moves? Our hips were made to swing!
- 11/19/2011 12:21:56 AM

I have this DVD and have completed each of the workouts on it one time. In fact, I did the balance workout last night. Although I did the other two workouts a couple of weeks ago, here's what I recall, in general: This is not a DVD for beginners, although I think beginners could use it to start challenging themselves with tougher workouts. I'd rate myself as an intermediate exerciser for the most part (but I have my strengths and weaknesses in all areas) and I find this DVD to be quite challenging, with the exception of the energy workout, which has more of a feel good, let's-warm-up-the-body kind of vibe. Regarding the music, unfortunately I did hear it and sometimes I felt like Kathy was a little off beat. This can be irritating to me in some workouts, but I found it less so in this one because the moves are not dancey and I didn't have to watch Kathy on every beat in order to do the workout properly. Don't get me wrong, though. I really like this DVD and I plan to get quite a bit of use out of it. As I said, it challenges me--but in a very good way.
- 11/18/2011 2:19:01 PM

I've tried Kathy Smith's videos and DVDs periodically over the years, and she has a pleasant personality and good form. But I've ended up trading away every one I accumulated for the simple reason that I don't find the choreography particularly interesting. I think she's great for a beginning exerciser, but once I accumulated some experience, I found her routines rather repetitious. I prefer workout DVDs from instructors who mix things up more and provide more intricate footwork to keep things interesting.
- 11/17/2011 12:51:30 PM

I have always loved Kathy, I must have at least 6 of her workouts. As I got older thought, I just couldn't keep up. I haven't tried this new one yet, but I sure am going to give it a shot.
- 11/17/2011 11:17:54 AM

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